philippians lesson 3 paul’s attitude toward his imprisonment or dealing with disappointments php...

Philippians

Lesson 3Paul’s Attitude Toward His

Imprisonment or Dealing With Disappointments

Php 1:12-26

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Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer For The Philippians

1. Paul thanks God for the Philippians Php 1:3-8

2. Paul’s prayer for the Philippians Php 1:9-11

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Introduction

• Often, things do not go as we would like them to happen in our lives

• Disappointments come regarding family, church, health or finance

• How shall we deal with these difficulties?• How do they affect our faith and the faith of

others?• Do we continue serving God or abandon

Him?

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Introduction

• Philippians wrote Paul inquiring about his attitude toward his imprisonment and possible execution

• Based on his commitment to Christ, Paul exhibits an attitude of rejoicing in spite of these trying circumstances

• Fail to understand his attitude because we are unwilling to make such an unwavering commitment to the Lord

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Introduction

• Not responsible for what happens to us but we are responsible for how we react to these things

• Paul did not become depressed or pity himself but rejoiced and was thankful to the Lord that all was working for good

• He encouraged the Philippians to remain committed to the Lord in trials being thankful and rejoicing for all good to God’s glory

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Paul’s Attitude Toward His Imprisonment or Dealing With Disappointments

1. Paul’s unselfish attitude toward his imprisonment Php 1:12-18

2. Paul’s primary concern in life – exalting Christ Php 1:19-26

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Paul’s Unselfish Attitude Toward His Imprisonment

Php 1:12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,

Php 1:13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,

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Php 1:14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

Php 1:15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;

Php 1:16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

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Php 1:17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

Php 1:18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

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• No details about Paul’s upcoming trial before Nero are given to us

• Before this present imprisonment, Paul had been in many trying preaching situations

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Paul Had Endured Many Trials of His Faith

2Co 11:22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.

2Co 11:23 Are they servants of Christ?--I speak as if insane--I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.

2Co 11:24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.

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2Co 11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.

2Co 11:26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;

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2Co 11:27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

2Co 11:28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.

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God Brings Good Out of Paul’s Imprisonment

• Through God’s providence, Paul’s imprisonment had produced progress for the gospel to spread

• People heard and obeyed who would not have heard unless he was a prisoner

• People preached the gospel who would not have preached unless Paul had set the example of preaching while imprisoned

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God Brings Good Out of Paul’s Imprisonment

Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

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Paul Continued To Preach The Gospel While Imprisoned

Php 4:22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.

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Who Were The Praetorian Guard?

1. 9,000 specially selected Italian soldiers holding rank no lower than centurion

2. Designated to guard Caesar and prisoners awaiting trial by Caesar

3. Served 12-16 years and received double wages

4. Became so powerful they controlled who became Caesar

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Others Encouraged To Preach Because of Paul’s Example

• Paul kept preaching no matter what

• Others also followed his example but some did it out of impure motives

• Paul rejoiced that the gospel was spreading

• Mature Christian should never discourage others in their faith through their self-pity

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Through Prayer Paul Displayed Courageous Faith In Trials

Eph 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

Eph 6:19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

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Through Prayer Paul Displayed Courageous Faith In Trials

Eph 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

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Paul’s Primary Concern In Life – Exalting Christ

Php 1:19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Php 1:20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

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Php 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Php 1:22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.

Php 1:23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;

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Php 1:24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

Php 1:25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,

Php 1:26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

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• His greatest desire was to exalt Christ in his life

• For Paul, living was Christ and dying was gain

• We cannot rejoice in trials unless we remain committed to serving Jesus

• What is our greatest desire in life?• Is serving Christ enough or do we focus on

having all things our way?

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Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

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• Between living or dying Paul did not know which to choose

• Dying meant being with Christ, better than anything else

• Living meant serving the brethren as a servant of the Lord

• He was ready to die but not afraid to live

• What is our attitude toward life and death?

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Being With Christ Better Than Living

2Co 5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2Co 5:2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven,

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Being With Christ Better Than Living

2Ti 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

2Ti 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

2Ti 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

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Serving Others As A Servant of The Lord

Mat 20:25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.

Mat 20:26 "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,

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Serving Others As A Servant of The Lord

Mat 20:27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;

Mat 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

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Paul’s Attitude Toward His Imprisonment or Dealing With Disappointments

1. Paul’s unselfish attitude toward his imprisonment Php 1:12-18

2. Paul’s primary concern in life – exalting Christ Php 1:19-26

philippians lesson 3 paul’s attitude toward his imprisonment or dealing with disappointments php...

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